Li Muzhan smiled faintly, stepping back with a graceful movement, vanishing over the wall like a wisp of smoke in an instant. Li Tianlei snorted coldly and sheathed his sword.
Li Muzhan’s voice drifted from afar: “Sect Master Li, now that Miss Fan is gone, do you dare pursue me further!”
“Hah, what is there to fear!” Li Tianlei sneered and shot off after him.
The burly man just started to move when the handsome middle-aged man stopped him with a sharp shout.
“Boss, I’ll go take a look!” the burly man quickly offered.
The handsome middle-aged man shook his head. “Look at what excitement! You won’t catch them anyway, so forget it. See if everyone else is alright.”
“Sigh, alright then!” The burly man was immensely disappointed but conceded the point, pressing the matter no further.
Li Muzhan drifted north toward the city gate. Exiting the North Gate, he entered a grove of trees two li outside the city, plunged into the foliage, and disappeared.
When Li Tianlei arrived, he saw no sign of him and sneered, “Sneaky phantom! Since you lured me here, show yourself!”
The sun hung high in the sky, radiating warm sunlight.
Then, the heavens showed an unusual sign; a sheet of dark cloud suddenly enveloped the area. Li Tianlei’s expression shifted slightly; he sensed unease and focused his gaze upward.
This mass of cloud hung directly over the forest canopy. Slowly, an ethereal shadow materialized within the darkness—a wrathful visage with a blue face, four arms each gripping an object, and blazing green fire beneath its feet.
As a Sect Master, his knowledge was vast, and his face immediately changed. He recognized it as the Wrathful Aspect of Mahā-Vairocana, indicating a Buddhist master was practicing nearby.
He mused internally, Did this little monk lure me here for the sake of this Buddhist master?!
He drew his long sword, relaxing his entire body, adjusting himself to optimal readiness, yet he made no move. If he could avoid provoking this Buddhist master, it was best not to engage.
Harboring a slim chance, he stopped where he was, restraining his spirit, centering his mind and body—preparing for any eventuality. If the master sought trouble, he would fight; if ignored, that would be ideal.
Moments later, a flash of green light caught his eye. Two zhang away stood Li Muzhan, expressionless, staring coldly at Li Tianlei.
Li Tianlei was startled, realizing Li Muzhan’s qinggong was extraordinarily superb. Then, his heart sank as he cursed inwardly: Using a secret technique again!
He immediately considered retreat. Under the effect of a secret technique, he was no match for Mingkong. Rather than suffer humiliation, it was better to withdraw early.
The thought manifested into action: he turned and fled—like a flash of lightning—instantly covering ten zhang, then with another blink, he shot out another dozen zhang.
“Hmph.” A cold snort suddenly rang out, like the roar of a massive thunderclap. His blood qi instantly stagnated, his movement momentarily paused, and Li Muzhan appeared before him.
Li Muzhan remained expressionless, his gaze indifferent, watching him without moving, sending a chill through Li Tianlei’s heart. His form flickered, and he shot past Li Muzhan’s left side.
Li Muzhan flashed and vanished from his spot.
“Bang.” A dull thud sounded. Li Tianlei staggered back, spitting blood from the corner of his mouth.
He stared at Li Muzhan in shock, realizing Li Muzhan’s martial arts were even more astonishing, seemingly stronger than before. A single palm strike had landed on him.
This palm strike was too fast; even with his swift sword, he couldn’t block it. His sword hadn't even moved before the palm reached its mark, a ferocious power exploding outward.
He staggered back four steps, then twisted his body and turned to flee.
Li Muzhan flashed again, disappearing once more.
“Hmph.” Another dull thud. Li Tianlei staggered backward again, blood trickling from his lips onto his purple robe. His face was ashen, looking incomparably wretched.
He met Li Muzhan’s icy gaze and grunted, “What a powerful secret method; the price must be enormous, yes?” Li Muzhan remained silent, gazing coldly for a moment before flashing to his side, his right palm striking Li Tianlei’s chest again, sending him flying.
Li Tianlei skimmed through the air for over ten zhang, staggered upon landing, and retreated more than ten steps before slowly coming to a halt, leaning on his sword, blood staining the corner of his mouth.
He kept his head bowed and motionless, allowing the blood to pour out onto the ground.
Li Muzhan did not move, watching him coldly.
Li Muzhan felt the intention to kill, intending to slay Li Tianlei. However, Li Tianlei’s inner force was peculiar; whenever an attack targeted his vital energy centers, a thread of strange power would emerge to defend him.
If not for this, a single palm strike would have ended him.
This strange energy was not profound but incredibly resilient and incessant. Li Muzhan’s internal force, peerlessly fierce, could not destroy it upon meeting it. These three strikes were successively heavier, yet the peculiar energy remained, guarding the five viscera and six bowels, resembling his own Vajra Indestructible Divine Skill in principle. Li Tianlei stared at Li Muzhan, a trace of madness glinting in his eyes. Li Muzhan frowned, perplexed as to why this strange inner force grew stronger.
Activating the Mahā-Vairocana Scripture, Li Muzhan used his full strength. Li Tianlei was no match, only capable of receiving blows. Any move he intended to use was immediately interrupted.
Though he possessed exquisite and unparalleled techniques, his speed was insufficient; he was restricted and had no time to execute them before Li Muzhan broke through. Before Li Muzhan, he was like a decrepit old man, his movements slow and sluggish. While the refined techniques existed, applying them was beyond his capability.
Li Muzhan struck palm after palm, delivering four more in succession. Li Tianlei could no longer stand, lying on the ground spitting blood, yet his breath remained steady, his life out of immediate danger.
Li Muzhan approached him, expressionless, devoid of joy or sorrow.
Li Tianlei supported himself with his hand and slowly sat up. His face remained composed and dignified, as if he were the one who had not been felled, coldly confronting Li Muzhan.
Li Muzhan felt neither sorrow nor joy, but his mind was clear. He frowned at Li Tianlei.
He had not expected that attempting to kill Li Tianlei would be thwarted by his internal force. The world was vast, containing all manner of marvels. He had never heard of this particular technique.
This time, while employing the Mahā-Vairocana Scripture, he maintained full control, his mind as usual. However, human emotions had inexplicably vanished. He could find no trace of them. He wished to feel joy but could not locate the sensation; he wished to feel distress but did not know what distress was. Under the Mahā-Vairocana Scripture, all human feelings ceased to exist.
He thought to himself that if he used the Mahā-Vairocana Scripture several more times, he might truly end up like this. It was regrettable; he should feel fear, yet he felt none, only a faint thought that he should cease employing the Mahā-Vairocana Scripture. Unless, that is, his Heart Pearl could reach seven or perhaps eight spheres, which might negate the effect.
“Poof.” A dull sound. Li Tianlei suddenly dissolved into a streak of light and vanished before his eyes.
Li Muzhan paused, surprised that Li Tianlei had a contingency plan, also employing a secret technique, likely one that boosted potential to maximize his qinggong to its absolute peak.
He closed his eyes, observing the void with his Eye of the Void, then his body dissolved into light smoke, drifting away slowly.
Though Li Tianlei’s secret technique was potent, it was explosive; after the initial burst, he lacked sustained power. Five li later, his speed had slowed significantly as he ducked into another patch of woods. For an ordinary person, having shaken off his pursuer by five li should have been sufficient.
But Li Muzhan’s Eye of the Void surveyed ten li. He drifted along serenely, floating into the woods until he stood before Li Tianlei, his expression coolly detached.
Li Tianlei sat on the ground, leaning against a pine tree, looking up at Li Muzhan, his face pale as paper, blood slicking the corners of his mouth.
Li Muzhan’s internal force was overwhelmingly powerful, relying on brute force to strike his chest repeatedly. Although the strange energy protected his vital organs, he was still injured. This protective force could not grant total immunity, only mitigate the damage.
Li Muzhan looked at him faintly: “Do you have any last words? Feel free to speak them; I will pass them on.” Li Tianlei’s eyes widened, piercing like sharp javelins. After staring for a long while, he sighed, “You are using the Mahā-Vairocana Scripture, aren’t you?”
Li Muzhan raised an eyebrow and smiled faintly: “Indeed.”
“So, you are a disciple of Canghai Mountain!” Li Tianlei laughed ruefully.
Li Muzhan nodded: “Correct. I am Zhanran, a disciple of Canghai Mountain.”
“So it’s you!” Li Tianlei nodded hoarsely. “No wonder you are so formidable. Canghai Mountain—ha, a fine Canghai Mountain.”
Li Muzhan frowned, his expression shifting.
“Come then!” Li Tianlei closed his eyes and said faintly, “To die by the hand of a Canghai Mountain disciple is a kind of satisfaction.”
Xiao Yuesheng’s expression flickered several times, then he sighed deeply, “My master’s monastic name is Zhuzhao.”
Li Tianlei’s eyes snapped open: “You are her disciple?” Li Muzhan nodded: “Yes, I am my master’s last closed-door disciple. You know my master, correct?”
Li Tianlei pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded: “Indeed.”
“What was your relationship?” Li Muzhan asked calmly.
“Fairly good.” Li Tianlei hesitated, then let out a long, slow breath.
Li Muzhan watched him steadily, his eyes emotionless and cold, his gaze fixed without wavering.
After a long silence, Li Muzhan shook his head: “I will not kill you today.” Li Tianlei frowned: “Letting the tiger return to the mountain—do you not know the endless future trouble?” Li Muzhan said lightly: “Consider it me repaying a favor owed to my master. You must swear a poisonous oath never to reveal my identity, and from this day forth, disciples of Leijian Peak shall never again step into Dayi!”
Li Tianlei frowned and pondered. After a while, he slowly nodded: “Good, I will swear this poisonous oath.”
Having spoken, he raised his right palm toward the sky, swearing not to reveal Li Muzhan’s identity, and that disciples of Leijian Peak would never again enter Dayi.
After he finished the oath, he looked around to find Li Muzhan’s silhouette gone.
He stood in stunned silence for a long time before letting out a long sigh, shaking his head, knowing Li Muzhan understood the connection between him and Canghai Mountain.
Li Muzhan’s form vanished like lightning, instantly leaving the woods. He found another grove and dissolved the Mahā-Vairocana Scripture. It was almost comparable to the Vajra Indestructible Divine Skill. In Li Muzhan’s view, the Vajra Indestructible Divine Skill was supreme among worldly body-hardening arts; no unorthodox method could surpass it. The Vajra Indestructible Divine Skill not only protected the self but also directly enabled the attainment of Buddhahood, culminating in the Golden Body—a direct leap to the other shore. He refused to believe otherwise, scoffed coldly, and struck out his palm again.
“Bang.” A dull thud sounded, and he struck Li Tianlei again, sending him flying three or four zhang away, but he noticed the peculiar inner force had grown even deeper.
Li Tianlei used his sword to brace the ground, looking up coldly at him...